Central office massive memory recording system



E. ROGAL Feb. 11, 1964 CENTRAL OFFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDING SYSTEMFiled Jan. 5, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Feb. 11, 1964 E. Roem.3,121,159

CENTRAL OFFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 2 To Annunciu+or Swlch Solenoid ronsducng Ndwork ln'lerlockMahi:

Frequency Generoior lfrom Busse:

6B, 70 8. 72 (Above) Ready Circuil' DIRECTOR IN VENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS E. ROGAL Feb. l1, 1964 CENTRAL OFFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDINGSYSTEM Filed Jan. 5, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS Feb. l1, 1964 E.Roem. 3,121,159

CENTRAL FFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 5 m nNvENToR LO avg '5 E E E 9 Wad m .t LL D ATTORNEYS E.RoGAl.. 3,121,159

CENTRAL OFFICE msm: ummm RECORDING ssm Feb. 11, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed Jan. 5, 1959 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS E. ROGAL Feb. 1l, 1964 CENTRAL OFFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDINGSYSTEM 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 5, 1959 www 9:32. Eon@ AEP/x2 02.000

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E. ROGAL.

CENTRAL OFFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDING SYSTEM BY my ATTORNEYS Feb. 11,1964 Filed Jan. 5, 1959 E. ROGAL CENTRALOFFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDINGSYSTEM 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 777ML( m ATTORNEYS Feb. 1l, 1964 E, ROGAL3,121,159

CENTRAL OFFICE MASSIVE MEMORY RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 5, 1959 10SheetsSheet 10 FIG. II

M mm 46037I JOHNDOE FIG. IIG FIG. IIb FIG. IIC

INVENTOR a/M oaf BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent O gnur to Uniacorporation The present invention relates to business equipment and,more paritcularly, to a novel system for comprehensively recordingaccounting and operating data with hitherto unequaled speed andaccuracy.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novelremotely controlled system that enters data transmitted from tire site(eg. sales counter, purchasing ottico, receiving platform, refund desk.credit department, etc.) of a commercial transaction, at very time ofits consummation, in any l all peru accounting and ag (statisticalrecords, which then may be without vention of human delay. Generally,this system comprises a plurality of transmitters for transmitting datafrom a plurality oi: trans' tion sites, a plurality of memories forselectively receiving records representing accounting multiple entriesrelated to the transaction data in response to the signals, and adirector tot transmitting signals from appropriate ,z registers to themultipticity of memories esiYe id bythe sig .als Each transmitter prod atra cuen slip or other printed and/or code-l source document (eg. salesslip. credit slip, invoice, etc.) vented for acceptability and accuracyat the time of the consummation ot the transaction. The directorincludes switching for locating a source register at which. atransaction is in process, i temporarily storing ,nting information allmemories .g sig is repreall memories so cling the source 1 Tite memoA y.els ledgers. These memories rece from the direcors signals which i mitsenting the temporarily stored ii rd to designated and thereafter fordisconn register from the remt tiret have been verified foracceptability by reference to a verily a record repress steli st.Signals from these memories are compared at the time of each trans-Other o ,mention will part be in part appear inatter.

The invention accordingly comprises tric possessing the construmion.combination of elements and arrangement of parts. wl 'el are exempl Llowing detailed dis-'.,losurc, and the scope of .vh'sl indicated in theclaims.

For a fuller understanding of the na the invention, 1 terence should hehad to the following detailed description taken in connection with theite-:ompanying drawings wherein:

ifIGUl-l'l l is a general schematic diagram of an illustrative automiicaccounting and operating system einbodying the present invention;

FiG. la is a schematic diagram of auxiliary components that may beassociated with the system of FIG. l;

FlG. 2 illustrates details, fragmentary for clarity, of the circuitryand mechanism of a transmitter of tde system of FiG. 2;

FG. 3 is a side View of a component of the register of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bloeit diagram transmitter of Flc-G. E;

FIG. 5 illustrates details of a the director ol FIG. l',

apparatus a component of the locator of lCe FIG. 6 illustrates detailsof a temporary storage of the director' of FlG. l;

FIG. 7 illustrates details of a memory locator of the director of FIG.l;

FG. 8 illustrates further details of the memory locator of FlG. 7;

FIG` 9 illustrates an exemplary memory or the system of FIP. 1, partlyin fragmentary mechanical elevation and partly in electrical blockdiagram;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the memory of FIG. 9;

Fi'G. ll is a sectional view of the memory of 4G. 9, taken substantiallyalong the line 11H13;

MGS. lle, lib and llc are alternative fragments of the memory ot FIG. 9;and

F153. 12 is a sectional view of the memory of FI". 9, takensubstantially along the line 12-12.

The Block Diagram 0f FIG. l in FIG, l by way of example, the illustratedof the present invention is described herein to department storeaccounting and operating system comprising a plurality of transmitters2t) for transmitting siffnals representing transaction data from aplurality of transaction sites, an arrangement 22 of memories forselectively' receiving records representing accounting multiple entriesrelated to the transaction data in response to the signals, and adirector 24! for trans- `fting signals from appropriate transmitters tothe mul- .ity of memories designated by the signals. Transrs 2Q arelocated throughout the many areas and rooms of the department storeand/cr department store branches. Memories 22 and director 24 arelocated at one or a few central locations in the department store, oneor more ot" its branches or elsewhere.

vransmitters El) include: a plurality of ordering transmitters 26 fortransmitting transaction data from the va Lons department storepurchasing or'liccs, etc. and for producing corresponding printedorders, ete.; a plurality' of receiving transmitters 28 for transmittingtransaction itat, from the various department store receivingplatforms.y etc. and for pro-lu g corresponding routing labels, codedand uncodcd tags, ete.; a plurality of payables transmitters 3G fortranm ing transaction lala from the various department store disbursingoffices, etc. and lo producing correspondi checks, drafts, ctc.; and aplura; y ol customer transmitters 32 for transmitting all types oicustomer transaction data from the various dcpartment store customertran' tion counters and for producing corresponding sales slips, paymenton account slips, etc.

Aft[rangement 22 includes one or more composite memories Fifi each givencomposite memory: including a watch iernory 315 to which incomingsignals are referred in order to determine the aceepta'e ity tomanagement of the transact' ns they represent teg, credit approval); a.nory 395 which receives a sequence of records or all transactionsrepresented by the sequence of signals transmitted to the givencomposite memory Eil; a plurality of ledger memories it@ of wl ichcertain ones receive selected records of transactions represented bycertain of the signals transniitted to the given composite memory; aplurality of arithmetic calculators 42, each oi which resp selectedsignal to the given composite memory As shown embodiment in referencei.e. money amounts or the like recorded by totalizers 46; and acomparator G for issuing a warning signal in the event of an unbalanceat any given time between the running total maintained by totalizer 44and the running total maintained by totalizer 48.

Director 24 includes: electromagnetic switching units 52 for locating anoperating transmitter at which a transaction is in process,electromagnetic converting units 54 for temporarily storing a record inresponse to signals representing information relating to thistransaction, and electromagnetic switching units 56 for locating allmeinories designated by the temporarily stored signals.

As shown in FIG. la, the data recorded in the memories of theillustrated system may be analyzed by auxiliary components includinganalysis units 57 capable of receiving selected data from the journalmemories, a locator 59 for locating any analysis unit desired and aprinter 61 for recording the analysis results.

In the present system, certain of the signals representing informationbeing transferred are in the form of selected combinations of frequencycords or tones. It is apparent that ten digits may be represented as tendifierent combinations of two out of six frequencies. In other words,any individual digit from O to 9 of a first decimal column or order of amulti-digit number or field may be represented by a code of two out ofsix frequencies, any individual digit from 0 to 9 of a second decimalcolumn or order may be represented by a code of two out of six otherfrequencies, etc. The two out of six frequencies presenting7 the firstdecimal order, the two out of six frequencies representing the seconddecimal order, etc. all may be combined for transmission at one timewhile retaining their identity for separation by suitable discriminatingcircuits. It has been found that a six digit eld preferably isrepresented by twelve out of thirty six frequencies.

The illustrated system will be described in reference to a plurality offields or specific groups of digits, which fields are intended torepresent all relevant information of a given transaction. Certainfields determine particular memories to which information is to betransmitted and certain other fields represent mathematical entriesinvolved in the transaction. By way of example below, the selection of aparticular memory represented by a particular field will be illustratedin detail. This selection is similar to other selections of othermemories represented by other fields occurring simultaneously.

The Transmitters as Illustrated n FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 Each of transmitters26, 28, 3() and 32 includes generally: a housing, a fragment of which isdesignated 53 at the upper right of FIG. 2; a lreyset component, afragment of which is designated 6@ at the upper left of FIG. 2; a codedtag or tab sensing component, a fragment of which is shown at 62; anannunciating component, a fragment of which is designated 64 underneathfragment 58 of the housing; and a source document component, a fragmentof which is designated 65 at the upper right of FIG. E in associationwith fragment 64 of the annunciating component. Tag or tab sensingcomponent 62, although shown singly, in practice is associated with aplurality of similar tag or tab sensing components that cooperate tosense simultaneously the tags or tabs of a customer, a sales clerk, asales tag, ctc. Kcyset component 60 and sensing component 62 areinterlockcd by a matrix component 63 which operates to prevent theoperation of lrcysct component 6h when tag or tab sensing component 62is in operation unless an operator intentionally interjects informationfrom keyset 60. Annunciating component 64 enables an operator to observethe data setup in the` transmitter before transmission. Source documentcomponent 64 produces a source record of a desired portion of thetransmitted data upon receipt of a signal evidencing the acceptance andconclusion ot the transaction. The signals sent by the illustratedtransmitter are frequency signals containing digital information in theform of simultaneous pairs of discrete cords, each pair selected from adistinct set of six.

For clarity only three of the plurality of channels of the illustratedtransmitter are shown for producing pairs of discrete cords. These pairsof discrete cords are selected from three groups of six frequencies eachsupplied by a suitable frequency generator 66 to each of three busses68, 79 and '72. Three columns of kcysets 74, 76 and 78 are associatedwith three input busses 68, 70 and 72, respectively. Each kcyset of eachcolumn operates a switch, which when actuated applies to an output busS1, a unique combination of two out of six frequencies. Frequencygenerator 66 also feeds its frequencies to a coded tag or tab sensingmechanism Sil, which constitutes one of plurality 62. Sensing mechanismS0 includes a pair of relatively reciprocable blocks 82 and 34 thatrespectively are provided with rows of spring pressed, axially movable,electrical input pins 86 and rows of stationary electrical contacts SSregistered therewith. Pins 86 are fed with frequencies from bussessimilar to busses 68, 70 and 72. Interlock matrix 63 establishes whetherkeyset component 6G, sensing mechanism Sti or portions of both controlthe signals transmitted. Matrix component 63, for example, make breakswitches that prevent the transmission of frequencies through anykcysets 75, 76 and 78 that have been actuated, unless a portion of theinformation or its entirety is desired. Thus, if a coded tag or tab '79is contiguousny interposed between bioclrs 82 and 84, keyscts 74, 76 and78 cannot be actuated unless permitted by operation of interlock matrix63, which then permits the transmission of keysct selected frequencies.On the other hand, if keysets 74, 76 and 78 have been actuated,interlock 63 may operate to transpose the sequence of certain digits setup by sensing mechanism 80 and keyset component 69. Furthermore, theoutput of sensing component 62 can be utilized to actuate interlockmatrix 63.

The signals through interlock matrix 63 from output busses 81 and 91 areapplied to a transducing network 92, which sets up annunciatingcomponent 64, source document component 65 and an associated switchnetwork 94 (details of which are shown in FIG. 3). In the manner now tobe described, annunciating component 64 serves to permit the operator toobserve visual indicia of data that has been set up. After the operatorhas checked the visual indicia for accuracy, he causes a ready signal toappear on a ready circuit 96. This ready signal appears when a sourcerecord holder (not shown) is closed so as to operate a suitableinterlock circuit 97. For purposes of clarity, it now should be statedthat at this point, in a manner to be described later, signalsrepresenting the transaction are transmitted and the acceptability ofthe transaction is determined. If the transaction is found acceptable,the production of a source record and the release of the transmitteroccurs to permit the transmitter to be set up for a new transaction.

Annunciating component 64 includes a plurality of annunciatingmechanisms of which three are shown at 102, 104, and 106 incorrespondence with busses 63, 70 and 72, respectively. As shown in FIG.3, each annunciating mechanism includes a stationary mounting plate 168and, mounted thereupon, a reciprocable slide rack 110, a rotatable printwheel 112 that is driven by slide rack 220, an indicator plate 116 thatis carried by slide rack 110, and a suitable reset solenoid assembly115. Rotatable with print wheel 112 is an auxiliary print wheel 114 forprinting in a second position when desirable. The longitudinal positionof slide rack liti and, consequently, the rotational position of printwheels 132 and 114 and the longitudinal position of indicator plate 16are controlled as follows.

Slide rack 11i) is provided with a pair of parallel longitudinal slotsv11h and 120 through which a pair of guide pins 122 and 124 extend frommounting plate 168.

Normally, slide rack 11i) is returned to the illustrated extremeposition (with pins 122 and 124 in abutment `against the inner ends ofslots 118 and 120) by reset assembly 115 against the reverse bias of aspring 126. Each slide rack 110 is associated with ten solenoids 128that control the operation of slide rack 110'. In response to anappropriate direct current output from transducing networlt 92, one often solenoids 128 is energized. Solenoids 12S are operatively connectedto slide links 130, which are vertically reciprocable under theconstraint of a pair of guides 132 and 134. Slide links 130 normally areurged into the uppermost positions by compression springs 136, which areoperatively disposed between slide links 130 and mounting plate 10S.Slide links 13G are provided with rearwardly projecting lugs 138 whichproject through openings 14d in mounting plate 1113. Mounted on therearward face of mounting plate 1118 are a crank latch 142, which ispivoted `at 144, and a latch release slide 146, which is verticallyreciprocable under the constraint of slots 1418 in slide 146 and pins150 projecting from mounting plate S. It will be observed that one endof crank latch 142 is engaged by release slide 146 and the other end isprovided with a lug 152 which is biased by a spring 154 into a notch 156in slide rack 110. The arrangement is such that when one of thesolenoids 128 is actuated, the lug 138 of one of slide links 131)engages latch release slide 146. In consequence, latch release slide 146is moved downwardly, crank latch 1412 is pivoted so that lug 152 iswithdrawn from notch 156 and slide rack 11G is directed to the leftuntil its advance edge 158 abuts against the particular lug 138 that isengaging release slide 146. All other lugs 13S are spaced from the pathof travel of advance edge S.

ln this position, slide rack 11G causes print 'wheels 112 and 114 torotate to a position at which a particular increment 166' bearing one ermore numerals or other characters is in printing position and causesindicatorplate 116 to advance to a position at which a correspondingincrement 162 bearing corresponding numerals or other charactersunderlies a window 164 in housing 58 (FlG. 2).

As shown, slide rack 110 carries an insulated contact 16S whichconstitutes part oi switch network 94. Switch network 94 applies aselected pair of frequencies from an associated frequency bus (shown inFlG. 2 at 68, 7i] and 72) to ready circuit 96. ln this way, the selectedindicia 162 visible through window 164 is directly interconnected withthe selected pair of frequencies from the associated frequency bus. Asindicated above, alter the acceptability of the transaction has beendetermined favorably, a. signal returned to the transmitter to cause theproduction of a source document. The source document, shown at 172, isproduced as follows. The return signal causes a solenoid 16S to operatea printing platen 170 that is pivoted at 171. Document 172 of selectedblanlt iforni, which is positioned in a drawer or other holder betweenprinting platen 170 and an inked ribbon 174, receives an impression fromprinting wheels 112 and 114 when solenoid 16S is energized. Thisdocument after being printed is removed from the register by theoperator.

A detail diagram of transducing network in FIG. 4. ln the illustratedsystem as indicated above, one digit of a six digit field is representedby a selection of two out oi six frequencies. The frequencies of a l ofthe groups are dillerent. A particular pair of frequencies applied to aparticular one of solenoids 12S in the following way. All pairs offrequencies produced are applied to all of a plurality of broad bandfilters 176, each of which passes only one of. the groups of sixfrequencies. The select-d pair of reqiiencies from any broad band filter17d are applied to ten narrow band iilters 178. Two of narrow bandfilters 17S will pass the two frequencies of the selected pair. The twooutputs of these two narrow band filters 178 are capable of passing twofrequencies, which when rectified by suitable recticrs 179, energize apan ticiilnr solenoid 123. The arrangement is such that the output oi'only one or" the narrow band filters 178 will not energize a particularsolenoid 128.

Allocation of a Director Storage to a Ready Circuit 'Yrniisiiiiffr'rFIG. 5

Transmitter locator 52, which as indicated in FIG. l is dcig cil toallocate a given number of director storage units S-i to a given numberoi transmitters 2li, is shown in detail by vi'ny of example in Fifi. 5.Generally, the circuit of lilfl. 5 detects n transmitter with ntransaction inl ready to sent, determines whether nn associated ducctorstorage unit 54 is available, connects the transmitter so found to theavailable director storage unit so located, alter completing tir.,connection of other transmitters that are ready to send to otheravailable director storage units, and breaks the connection between anytransniiltcr and any director storage unit as soon as the Y beenaccepted and recorded. cuit includes: a multilevel si cli 215i) inassociation with all rtinsinitters El); a plurality of multilevelswitches i one switch 202 being in association with r rector storage 54;and a multilevel switch 264 for inastcr controlling the operation oi'switches 211) and 262. includ-cs nu nuto control level ting controllevel Zllli, n policing level L und n level 21334. l'lncn storage switch26) itrol level 211251, a transmitter message level level 232e, and astorage control level 2625i. levels on transmitter and storage switchesZilli und are multipled. All storage control leve-s on transmitting andstorage switches Zilli and 231i?. nrc niultipietl. All message levels2412i) on storage switches EFE only nrc rnultiplcii. The message leadsof are connected to the respective pole various t fitti:

points ol message levels 2192i) of storage switches 202. Master controls fc i inclu-lcs a in aster storage conl trol level a guard busy level12S-l). All of the iorcio in s `niches operate contiruously except whencony' located transmitter 2li to a given located director storage Eli.

1n the 'lollowing description or the operation of the circuit of lil'G.5, it `will be convenient to assume that the ready transmitter it@ isconnected to pole point 2 of transmitter control level 21.12!) and thata message has n set up in this transmitter 2li. Accordingly, a ready istransmitted to pole pont 2 ol tran.. trol level Edili). The conncctionson l Eililu are such that transmitter switch 2m* opera continuouslyuntil the scanner of control leve llllb contacts n pole point the readysignal, i.e. i8 v. DE. In conse- '726 associated with the scanner trans-Ilfli is cnergired in order to nctuato n nor y switcl ZLtfi, associatedwith the scanner ol' nuto control level Zlfz, and a normally open sv'ich flint, socinted with the scanner oiC storage con- Wlicn switcli2365: opens it stops the dr t. ol transmitter switch 2t0. When switchZitb closes., it energizes a relay 233 in order to clos a normally openswitch 20511 associated with the sca When switch "Lib closes, it causesground to be applied to the selected point oi storage control levelZlirl. Since this l pole point is niuitipicd to all correspo pole pointsof other storage levels 202th all of these corresponding pole points aregrounded.

When switch Zsrz closes, it energizes the drive mechanism Einleol mastercontrol switch 2M and charges a :itor 294i. associated with drivemechanism 2dr. t erred that now B-iis applied through lead :e point lslof master storage control level 26411 and thatpolc ont N ol guard busylevel 204i: is grounded through loud i'. When the scanner of guard busylevel steps lo pole point N, it signilles that there is an availablestorage switch 202 at the N position. A relay 204g now is energized andlocks itself in this condition through a normally closedmalte-then-break switch 264i: and a normally open make-thcmbrealt switchZoli. Now a normally open switch 204i, which is connected to the scannerof auto control level 202a of the available storage switch 202, closes.

In consequence, a motor drive 202e starts to operate. When the scannerol' storage control level ZlZf! finds pole point 2 grounded, itenergizcs relay 2021. Relay 202f actuates a normally closed switch 2mgand a normally open switch 232k. The opening of switch 202g causes thescanners of storage switch 2li?. to stop at pole points 2 byLie-energizing motor drive 232e. The closing of switch 202k energizes arelay 262,1', which actuales make-thenbreak switches 202k and Edil] inorder to doencrgize relay 202i, to disconnect the scanner of store.nucontrol level 202:1 and to actuate a normally open swi h 202m. Swith202m applies B+ to pole point 2 of policing control level 202C (which ismultipled to all policing control levels of transmitter and storageswitches Ztlt and 292). Also normally open switch 2921i is actuated inorder to connect a particular director' storage 54 to pole point 2 oftransmitter message level 202b, which is multipled to the message levelsof the other storage switches 292.

In resp-onse to the operation of relay 202i, a switch 202e opens,removing ground from motor drive 204e, which thereby is caused tocontinue scanning until it contacts a permanently grounded point betweenN and O on guard busy level 204i). At this point, relay 2016 has beendeenergized because B-l has been applied to the circuit of policinglevel 200C from switch 2mm. Switch 2G61) thus is deactuated, relay 208is cle-energized and switch 208a is deactuated. Thus the original stateis restored and motor drive 206cl continues to scan the pole points ofswitch 200 until another message from a different transmitter arrives attransmitter control level 20Gb. Capacitor 204:1 discharges through themaster storage control and relay 204g. This causes the scanner on guardbusy level 204i) to move t a grounded position between pole points N andO.

lt is to be noted that capacitor 2554:! discharges through the masterstorage control and relay 204g. This causes the scanner on guard busylevel 20411 to move to a grounded position between pole points N and O.When the message has been transmitted into storage 54, the transmittersends a reset signal thereto in order to permit reception of anothermessage.

The various director storage units 54 are selected at random by theabove described circuit. Thus under appropriate circumstancesinformation from a transmitter 20 selected by a ready circuit signal istransmitted to designated memories through a storage unit 54 selected atrandom. Inasmuch as it is necessary to transmit information from aparticular transmitter to designated memories through a randomlyselected storaga unit 5d, the switching, which, as will now bedescribed, constitutes storage units 54, is multipled in conjunctionwith suitable interlocks 210 that are capable of selecting givenmemories under the control of signals from any of transmitters 20.

Director Slomgc--FIG 6 As indicated above, director 24 includes storageunits 54, each in the form of a bank of switches for temporarily storinga record in response to signals from a ready circuit transmitter 20. Themanner by which a transmitter and a storage unit 54 are located andtheir connection is established has been described in reference to FIG.5. When the transmitter 2li and the storage unit 54 are so connected, acord of pairs of frequencies is transmitted. One such storage unit 54 isshown in F'lG. 6. This storage unit includes column sectionsrepresenting the orders of thc field to be stored temporarily. The firsttwo and the last one of these sections are designated generally at362:1, 302i) and 302e. The incoming cord is applied through a lead 298to a discriminating system 300er, 3007) and 306e, which may be of thesame broad band and narrow band type as is shown in FIG. 4.

Each column section includes a holding switch section 304 for locking upincoming signals, a frequency selecting section 305 for determiningfrequencies analagous to those received, a marked lead section 306 bywhich a selector switch may determine which digits are indicated so thatroutes for frequencies so determined may be established to particularledger memories 40, and a potential coding section 308 which transmitscoded potentials, in correspondence with the determined frequencies, bywhich particular memories may be selected. Although not all of theillustrated column sections require a marked lead section 306 and apotential coding section 308, they are shown as including these sectionsfor the purpose of generality.

The operation of column section 302e now will be described by way ofexample, it being understood that the other column sections operatesimilarly. The incoming Cord from line 298 is discriminated andtransduced at 300g so as to energize one of the ten relays 304 #1, #2,#3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 and #10, the incoming direct current signalbeing transmitted through one of ten leads 310, through the coil of oneof the solenoids and thence through a ground return lead 312. Theparticular switch 3M actuates a particular one of ten associated holdswitches 314, which establishes a path from B+ through one of ten leads316 and its associated lead 310 to lead 3l2 and ground. The energizedsolenoid 304 actuates a corresponding one of ten switches 318 offrequency selecting section 305, a corresponding one of ten switches 329of marked lead section 306 and a corresponding one of ten switches 322of potential coding section 308. The selected frequencies now are incondition for transmission from storage 54 through an output line 323i.

Before transmission can occur, however, the cord appearing at the outputline 323, iis referred to the watch memory 36 (FIG. 1) associated withthe particular composite memory 34 desired. Watch memory includes asimple signal comparison circuit for determining whether or not the cordappearing on lead 323 is the same as one of the cords of a list of cordsgenerated by the watch memory. This comparison, for example, maydetermine whether or not a particular credit transaction involving aparticular customer is acceptable. If the comparison indicates that thecord from lead 323 is different from any cord generated by thc watchmemory, the transaction is acceptable and a signal is transmitted fromthe watch memory to actuate solenoid 163 of transmitter 20 (FIG. 1) andto record the information from storage unit 54 in the remainder of thesystem.

The cord appearing on output line 323 also is directed to a journalmemory 38, which records, both in coded and printed form, all signalsreceived.

The cords appearing on the leads of marked lead section 396 andpotential coding section 30S are examined by a locating circuit for thepurpose of establishing a path between lead 323 and particular portionsof particular ledger memories 40 in a manner now to be described.

Memory Locator-FIG. 7

As will be explained below, any composite memory 34 of the illustratedembodiment comprises, for example, a plurality of memories of dillerentcategories, cach of which includes a group of one thousand magneticcards. One of these categories is described in connection with FIG. l asbeing a group of ledger memories 40. As will be described below inconnection with FIGS. 9. 1l), l1 and 12, each ledger memory 49 may `bein the form of a holder of a stack of magnetic cards. The circuit ofFIG. 7 is designed to select one of the holders from its group. Thecircuit of FIG. 8 is designed to select one of the cards from its stack.ln order to aid in the e\; planation of the operation of the circuit ofFlGS. 7 and S, let it be assumed that a particular field beingtransmitted is 460 #371, which indicates that the transaction is to berecorded in ledger nicmory holder #46 and magnetic card #371. Thecircuit of FIG. 7 is designed to sense the energized leads of the markedlead sections 396 of column sections SElZa and 32b and to sense thecncrgized leads of the potential coding sections 308 of the third,fourth, fifth and sixth channels of storage unit 54.

Associated with the director storage unit occupied by the particularmessage under consideration is a motor driven switch 4%() having amultiplicity of pole point sequences including a tens digit markingsequence 490g, and four auxiliary digit marking sequences 4005!, e, j,g. The scanners associated with all of these sequences are gangcdmechanically and driven by a motor 491. The operation of sequencesMilla, b, c in selecting a particular ledger memory will be describedbelow. While sequences 40Go, b, c, are so operating, scanners ofauxiliary digit marking sequences (mild, e, f, g are being marked withthe information necessary for the selection of a particular magneticcard from the ledger memory so selected. This marking, in a manner to bedescribed more fully below, taltes the form of applying selectedpotentials from potential coding sections 368 of storage 54 (FIG. 7)respectively to normally open switches 41nd, e, f and g, which areassociated with thc scanners of sequences 4illl`tf, e, 1J

When storage unit S4 has received at least a certain part ofthetransmitted message, and has accumulated the first two digits (in thiscase 46, which may represent a custorncr's charge account number) astart switch 494 grounds the circuit of a latch solenoid 4:16. Whensolenoid 406 is energized, switch 40S is closed in order to energizemotor 401 and to operate the scanners of the various sequences.

Sequence 4Min has five groups of pole points 41h #1, #2, #3, #4, #5occupying segments of equal length. Pole points 419 signify the rst livedigits of the tens order of the address. (The pole points signifying theremaining five digits are not shown.) With the aforementioned exernplaryaddress, segment #4, is grounded by corresponding switch 320 of markedlead section 3il6 of storage 54 (FIG. 6). The scanner of sequence 40th:is connected to one terminal of a test relay 412.

The pole points of sequence tlb are divided into live groups of ten polepoints each. Analagous pole points of these groups are multipled andconnected respectively to switches 320 of the marked lead section 3% olcolumn section 332.5 (HG. 6), where the units digit of address 46" isselected. Switch #6 of marked lead section 366 is at plus potential, inconsequence of which ve of the pole points of sequence 40Gb also are atplus potential. The scanner of switch 40Gb is connected to the otherterminal of test relay 412.

When the scanner operates (in a counterclocltwise direction), the bladeof arc 40011 will rotate to a grounded segment in position #4, whereby aterminal of relay 412 will be connected through switch 32) to ground. Asthe operation proceeds, the blade of arc 46h11 will rotate to a polepoint at a position #6, which is one of the ten positions associatedwith position #4 of arc 409g. A positive potential exists at thisposition #6 so that current llows through a low resistance section(shown as a heavy coil) of the winding of relay 412 in such a way as toopen a switch 414 and to deenergize latch relay 406. In consequence,latch 4% of latch relay 486 decncrgizcs motor 461 and meshes with a gearwheel 41S. Since wheel 415 is keyed to the common shaft of the blades ofthe various arcs, the rotation of these blades stops. At this point theblades `are locked on pole points of arcs 400g and 4ltlb representing46. Also test relay 412 opens a switch 416 so as to short out the highresistance section of winding 412 (shown as a light coil) and to insertthe low resistance section of winding 412 into series between the bladesof arcs 40Go and 40Gb. Thus, relay 412, while drawing a negligibly smallcurrent, holds switch 414 open. lt is now evident that relay 412 cannotstop rotation ofthe blades unless there is a coincidence of thepotentials ot arcs 4Min and 40tlb at given positions ol' their blades.

Multipled interlock Ztt associated with the various director storages54, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises jumpers, one of which isshown at 417 which connect the pole points of control sequence 4ililc toanalagous pole points of other like control sequences in the system. Thescanner of sequence 430e is connected through a normally open switch 418to a position between relay 412 and switch 416. When rclay 41.2operates, the potential at the scanner of sequence titte decreases fromalmost full B-lto a relatively low value that is determined by the IRdrop across the low resistance section of the winding of solenoid 412.Accordingly, this low potential is applied across the test relayassociated with any other control arc so that all other multiplcdcontrol sequences of the system are prevented from stopping at position#46. ln consequence, the busy address is rendered inaccessible to alllater testing and a ready director storage 54 seeking the busy addressmust continue operating until that address becomes free.

When test relay 412 operates it actuates a switch 420 in order toenergize a time delay 42?` that is in association with switches 42d, e,f, g. Thereby, coded potentials are applied from potential codingsections dit@ of the associated column sections director storage 54 toassociated potential decoders 45Go, b, c, d. rl'hcse decoders select aparticular card from the ledger memory designated by sequences 4Min and40% in a manner to be described below when permitted by a time delayrelay 424. Time delay relay 424 operates as follows to prevent theoperation of decoders 4500, b, c, d until the scanners of pole pointsequences titille and 466/1 have come to rest. ln position #46, thescanner of guard busy sequence 400C applies B+ to delay relay 424through one of jumpers 417. As switch operating any such marlied digitposition will he applied to guard busy sequence 4tltc, applyingB-lbriefly to the jumpers and hence to time delay relay 424. lowever,this time delay relay is designed to operate only when its winding hasremained energized for a considerably longer interval of time thanpermitted by the brief intervals of scanning. When the operation of thescanners is halted, relay 424- remains energized for a sufficiently longtime to close its switch 426. In consequence decoders dllrr, b, c, d areenergized and proceeds to operate.

The construction of an exemplary decoder 45t) is shown in FIG, S asincluding a motor driven switch 452, associated relays 454 and amechanical setting unit 456, which is ganged for operation with thescanner of switch 452 in order to actuate the card selecting componentsto be described below.

Decoder 450 operates under the control of a start lead 45S and apotential lead 465i, the latter being connected via one of pole pointsequences 493e', e, f, g (FlG. 7) to an associated coding potentialsection 3&8 at a particular position in director storage unit 54. Asindicated above, time delay relay 424 initiates the operation of alldecoders. Time delay relay 424 operates to apply B+ across relay 462 andthereby to energize a motor relay 464. Associated with motor relay 464is a latch 4166, which normally prevents rotation of motor 4nd, and anormally open switch 47d in the power line supply of motor 468. Whenmotor relay 464 is energized, latch 466 is deactuated in order to permitmotor 463l to rotate and switch 470 is closed in order to cause motor463 to rotate.

The scanner oi switch 452 sequentially contacts pole points #1, #2, #-3,#4, #5, #326, #7, #8, #9 and #0 along its sequence. rthese pole pointsare connected to the junctions of a series of voltage dividing resistorswhich gear 598, causes a rapid reciprocal motion of each o transducers572 for the purpose of imparting to magneti stratum 544 a record of thetype now to be described.

Control circuits 533 includes a suitable signal input 606, a cardselector circuit 602, a transducer and print wheel control circuit 684,a calculator 42 (see FIG. 1), and a card return circuit 6110. Theoperation of the control system is such that initially an input signalfrom coding matrix 490 (FIG. 8) energizes card selector circuit 602 andan input signal from transmission line 323 (FIG. l6) transmitsinformation to control circuit 664. In response, a selected card 54) isdropped from stack S22 onto endless belt 530 and is directed therefrominto holder 532. When the card has become properly positioned in holder532, it actuates a microswitch (not shown) in order to energize controlcircuit 6614. Control circuit `tlr-t causes rack and gear system 58S tostep bank 536 of transducers 572 down to the last line of magneticinformation recorded on the magnetic stratum 544 of the selected card.When the last line is reached, control circuit 6M causes signals `fromtransducers 572 to bo transmitted to calculator 686. Calculator lcombines the information originally received from signal input andoutput circuit 600 with the information now received from transducers672 and transmits signals representing the combined information tocontrol circuit 664. ln response, control circuit 6'4 causes the bank oftransducers and the bank of print `Wheels to step down from the lastrecorded line of magnetic stratum 544 and to impart to the followingunrecorded line magnetic representations of the combined information. Atthe same time, print wheels 576 of bank S37 are caused to print visuallythe corresponding information on the face of card 54d opposite thatcarrying stratum 544. Control circuit 538 thus permits an accountingrecord on stratum 544 to be updated automatically upon receipt of thenecessary updating information.

Verification for Accepmbil'ty find Accuracy As indicated above inreference to "Director Storage- FIG. 6, each director storage 54 isassociated with a watch memory 36 that comprises n reierence list ofcords. Each cord of this list is compared automatically by a suitablyprogrammed comparison circuit with the cord appearing on output lead 323(FIG. 6) of director storage 5d. If the results of the comparison arenegative, the transaction is accepted by the remaii r or the com4 positememory M if the results of the comparison are positive, either asuitable signal is mltomntiI i y returned to the ready transmitter or usupervisory operator places a telephone call to the ready transmitteroperator for the purpose of issuing instructions. Accordingly, teleconnections between the transaction sites ol transmitters 2t) and thecentral sites of watc'n memories 36 constitute components of theillustrated system.

As indicatori in FlG. l, in any composite memory 34 each ledger memory40 is associated with a totalizzer 46 and tile journal memory 38 isassociated with a totalizer 44. Each totalizer is a simple addingmachine that operates in response to the money amount portion of anincoming si tal to add or subtract a mechanical or cle:- trir lreoresentation of that money amount to or from a mec mical or electrimlrepresentation ot the previous total money amount. The tottll'fers flein associt ion with the various iedgcr memories 4t) operate a mastertote-.liner 4S which serves to add or subtract all mechanical orelectrical representations imparted by totali ers 46 to or lrom amechanical or eiectrical representation of a previous master total moneyamount. Journal memory 38 records in sequence all groups of signalsappearing ou output line 323 of storage Sil (FiG, 6). Accuracy of thesystem is ensured by a balancing circuit 50 which compares the totalrepresented by totalizer i4 with the total represented by totalizer d.It the balen circuit 5;) becomes unbalanced, it issues a warning signalwhich may be checked by an operator.

lll

In order to permit the operator to check thc transaction promptly,journal memory 38 includes both a visual printed list and a coded listthat may be utilized by machines. In one form as shown in FIG. lla, thecoded list is produced by electromechanical transducers of the typeshown at 536 (FlG. 9) in response to simultaneous pairs of frequenciesfrom output line 323 (FIG. 6) in magnetic material of the type shown atS44 (FiG. l1). in another' form as shown in FIG. 11b, the coded list isproduced by electro-optical transducers in response to lig it of variousintensities on photographic microfilm.

Operation and Conclusion The operation of the illustrated system nowwill bc explained in reference to a credit transaction involving one ofcustomer transmitters. The charge customer, alter having selecteddesired mechandise, presents the salesperson with a punched tab. Thesalesperson (FlG. 2) places the punched tab in sensing unit 62 and setsup the transaction on keyboard 6). The salesperson also places a punchedtab in a similar sensing unit (not shown) in order to identity himself.Visual indicia of the transactIon is set up (lilG. 3) and appearsthrough `Windows. 164 (Iivj. 1). The operator actuates ready circuit 96(PlG. l). in consequence, cards representing several fields ofinformation are transmitted through filter arrangement 92 (HG. fr).'lite ready transmitter 2li (lFlG. 2) and a free director storage S4(FIG. 6) are connected by a transmitter locator 5?. (PIG. 5). Il' thetransaction is found acceptable by watch memory 36 (HG. l) a sourcedocument 172 (FIG. 1) is produced and transmitter 20 is reset. Now also,ledger memory locator 56 (FIG. 7) selects one or more particular ledgermemories, in each such memory, in response to decoder 45t? (FIG. 8) acard Siti is selected from a stack (FIGS. 9, l0, 11 and 12). A record ofthe transmitter signal is imparted to magnetic surface :Bad (FlG. 1l) inthe manner described above in reference to FIG. lla. The record also isimparted to a ,ic-urnal memory A comparator 50, in resp nse to anarrangement of totalizers 44, 46 and 4d (FIG. l) ensures that allentries are accurate. The trans action now is complete and now isentered in all pertinent accounting and operating records.

the present application is a continuation-impart of patent applicationSerial No. 63(},832, liled December 27, 1956, now abandoned in the nameof Edward Regal for information Storage Device."

Since certain changes may be made in the above system without dspartingfrom the scope ot the invention herein involved, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in thc accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a lii ngsense.

what is claimed is:

l. A remotely controlled system comprising a plurality ci transmittermeans for transmitting transaction signals representing transaction datafrom a plurality of transito tion sites, each of said transmitter meansincluding a signal source, keyboard means lor controlling said signalsource, coded media sensing means for controlling said signal source,and interlock means for monitoring said keyboard means and said codedmedia sensing means, said transaction data including address incrementsand entry increments, a plurality of memory means for selectivelyreceiving records representing entry increments in response to saidsignals and for combining signals representing said entry incrementswith signals representing previously recorded entry increments toproduce a record of updated entry increments, and director means fortransmitting components of said signals representing entry incrementsfrom ready transmitters to certain of said memories designated bycomponents of said signals representing address increments, :saiddirector means including scanning switch means for establishing joinderwith said ready transmitter means, storing switch means for storing arecord in response to said signals, and scanning switch means forestablishing joinder with all of said certain memories, transmittingmeans for sending signals representing said record of said storingswitch means to all of said certain memories and thereafter fordisconnecting said ready transmitter means from the remainder of saidsystem.

2, A remotely controlled system that enters data transmitted from thesite of a commercial transaction at the time of its consummation in allpertinent records for review by management `in a central ollice at anytime, said system comprising a plurality orC transmitters fortransmitting signals representing transaction data from a plurnlity oftransaction sites, each of said transmitters includes a signal source,keyboard means for controlling said signal source, tag sensing means forcontrolling said signal source, and interlock means for monitoring saidkeyboard means and said tag sensing means, said transaction dataincluding address increments and entry increments, said signals havingcomponents representing said address increments and componentsrepresenting said entry increments, a plurality of memories forselectively receiving records representing accounting multiple entriesrelated to said entry increments in response to components of saidsignals representative thereof, and a director for transmittingcomponents of said signals representing said entry increments from anygiven transmitter to a plurality of said memories designated by saidcomponents of said signais representing said address increments, saiddirector including scanning switch means for locating said giventransmitter, storing switch means `when actuated for tcmporarily storinga record of said address in increments and said memory increments inresponse to said signals, scanning switch means for locating all of saiddesignated memories when said storing switch means is actuated,transmitting means for sending signals representing said entryincrements in said storing switch means to all of said designatedmemories and thereafter for disconnecting said transmitter from theremainder of said system, said transmitters being situated at aplurality of transaction sites and said memories being located atcentral sites.

3. A remotely controlled system that enters data transmitted from thesite of a commercial transaction at the time of its consummation in allpertinent records for review by management in a central ollice at anytime, said system comprising a plurality of transmitters fortransmitting signals representing transaction data from a plurality oftransaction sites, said signals having components representing saidentry increments, a plurality ot composite memories for selectivelyreceiving records representing accounting multiple entries related tosaid entry increments in response to components of said signalsrepresentative thereof, cach of said composite memories including ajournal memory and a plurality of ledger memories, and a director fortransmitting components of said signals representing said entryincrements from any given transmitter to any of said ledger memoriesdesignated by said components of said signals representing said addressmeremcnts and to journal memories associated therewith, said directorincluding scanning switch means for locating said given transmitter,storing switch means when actuated for temporarily storing a record ofsaid address increments and said memory increments in response to saidsignals, scanning switch means for locating all of said designatedcomposite memories when said storing switch means is actuated,transmitting means for sending signals representing said entryincrements in said storing switch means to all of said designatedcomposite memories and thereafter for disconnecting said transmitterfrom the remainder of said system, said transmitters being situated at aplurality of transaction sites and said memories being located atcentral sites.

4. The remotely controlled system of claim 3 wherein each of saidcomposite memories includes summing moans for producing a signalrepresenting a summation ol the l records of the entry increments insaid journal thereof summing means for producing a signal representing asummation of the records of the entry increments in said memory ledgersthereof, and comparing means for balancing said two last mentionedsignals.

5. A remotely controlled system that enters data transmitted from thesite of a commercial transaction at the time of its consummation in allpertinent records for review by management in a central oilce at anytime, said system comprising a plurality of transmitters fortransmitting signals representing transaction data from a plurality oftransaction sites, said signals having components representing saidaddress increments and components represcnting said entry increments, aplurality of composite memories for selectively receiving recordsrepresenting accounting multiple entries related to said entryincrements in response to components of said signals representativethereof, each of said composite memories including a journal memory inthe form of a sequential record tape and a plurality of ledger memories,each of said ledger memories including a stack of record elements, eachof said record elements being surfaced with magnetic material and beingprovided with coded media, said coded media being in the form of notchesat the edges of said record elements, said magnetic material beingcapable ol undergoing a change in magnetic state in response to anelectromagnetic signal, an array of control elements, each of saidcontrol elements being operatively associated with all of said notches,selected control elements when energized permitting removal of aselected one of said record elements from said stack and remainingcontrol elements when deenergized preventing removal or remaining recordelements from said stack, a reading station, means for transporting saidselected one of said record elements to said reading station, transducermeans for applying and receiving electromagnetic signals to and fromsaid selected one of said record elements in said reading station, andmeans for returning said selected one of said record elements from saidreading station to said stack, and a director for transmittingcomponents of said signals representing said entry increments from anygiven transmitter to the array ot control elements of any ol said ledgermemories designated by said components of said signals representing saidaddress increments and to journal memories associated therewith, saiddirector including scanning switch means for locating said giventransmitter storing switch means when actuated for temporarily storing arecord of said address increments and said memory increments in responseto said signals, scanning switch means for locating all ol saiddesignated composite memories when said storing switch means isactuated, transmitting means for sending signals representing said entryincrements in said storing switch means to all of said designatedcomposite memories and thereafter for disconnecting said transmitterfrom the remainder of said system, said transmitters lacing situated ata plurality of transaction sites and said memories being located atcentral sites.

6. The remotely controlled system of claim 5 wherein each ot" saidcomposite memories includes summing means for producing a signalrepresenting a summation of the records of the entry increments in saidjournal thereof, summing means for producing a signal representing asummation of the records of the entry increments in said memory ledgersthereof, and comparing means for balancing said two last mentionedsignals.

7. The remotely controlled system of claim 6 wherein each of saidcontrol elements mechanically engages notches in all of said cards.

S. "the remotely controlled system of claim 7 wherein each of saidtransmitters includes a slide rack resilicntly biased for movement froma deactuated position to one of sever actuated positions, means forreleasing said slide rats l'rom said dcnctnatcd position for movementinto said one of several actuated positions, a printing 17 wheeloperatively associated with said slide rack for rotation throughout anarc functionally related to the movement of said slide rack, a platenfor cooperation with said printing wheel and visual indicia movable withsaid slide rack for observation through a window.

9. The remotely controlled system of claim 8 wherein a plurality ofdecoders are associated with said plurality of ledger memories, one eachof said decoders being operatively connected to said control elements ofone each of said memory ledgers, said one each of said encodersincluding a driven switch having a plurality of pole points and ascanner and a driven setting unit having a plurality of pole points anda scanner, said scanner of said driven switch and said scanner of saidsetting unit being synchronized, said pole points of said driven switchhaving reference signals, means for comparing address incre mentsapplied from said director with said reference signals while saidscanner of said driven switch operates and for stopping said scannerwhen selected comparison is made, means for connecting the pole pointsof said setting unit to said control elements and for actuating selectedcontrol elements when said scanner of said setting unit stops.

10. The controlled system as claimed in claim ll wherein saidtransaction signals are each in the form of coded frequencycombinations.

said transaction signals are each in the form of coded frequencycombinations.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,801,981 Rogal et al. Apr. 2l, 1931 2,018,420 Robinson et al Oct. 22,1935 2,129,743 Nelson Sept. `13, 1938 2,427,383 Bryce Sept. 16, 19472,588,375 Flint Mar. 11, 1952 2,668,877 Gent et al Feb. 9, 19542,814,440 McWhirter et al Nov. 26, 1957 2,929,556 Hawkins Mar. 22, 19603,022,495 Williamson Feb. 20, 1962 3,034,110 Poeh May 8, 1962 FOREIGNPATENTS 545,238 Belgium Feb. 29, 1956 US003121159A REEXAMINATIONCERTIFICATE (1840th) United States Patent [19] Rogal [i t] B1 3,121,159

[45] Certificate Issued Nov. 10, 1992 [54] CENTRAL OFFICE MASSIVE MEMORYRECORDING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Edward Rogal, North Sciuate, Mass.

Reexamination Requests:

NO. 90/00O,365, May 2, 1983 NO. 90/000,499, Feb. l0, 1984 ReexaminationCertificate for:

[58] Field of Search 364/200 MS File, 900 MS File, 364/406, 401, 403;340/8251, 825.29; 360/72.1, 72.2; 23S/385, 379, 378; 178/3 [56]References Cited i U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 1,005,555 10/1911 Kettering235/2 1,209,735 12/1916 Lorimer 2,129,743 9/1938 Nelson 178/3 2,432,32412/1947 May 340/S15.04 2,446,037 7/1948 Ammann et a1. 340/8251 2,513,1126/1950 Sheperd 340/82522 2,528,394 10/1950 Sharpless et al. 377/132,535,218 12/1950 Marble 364/406 2,549,071 4/1951 Dusek et al. 360/72.12,564.410 8/1951 Schmidt 177/353 2,565,511 8/1951 McWhirter et a1.340/82529 2,568,756 9/1951 McWhirter et al. 340/82529 2,587,532 2/1952Schmidt .i 360/72.2 2,594,960 4/1952 May 364/401 2,611,813 9/1952Sharpless et al, 360/97 2,668,009 2/1954 Schmidt 23S/60.27 `-2,737,3423/1956 Nelson 364/403 2,879,000 3/1959 MacDonald et al, 2,883,106 4/1959Cornwell et al, 23S/385 1 2,910,238 10/1959 Miles etal. 364/401 l2,995,729 8/1961 Steele 364/200 3,018,042 1/1962 Nettleton 23S/4353,029,414 4/1962 Schrimpf...... 364/200 l 3,071,753 1/1963 Fritze et al.364/403 3,089,124 5/1963 Hagen et al. 360/78 3,134,016 5/1964 Connollyet a1. 364/403 3,304,416 2/1967 Wolf 377/13 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS270,044 5/ 1927 United Kingdom OTHER PUBLICATIONS Jeming, Retailing WithElectronics, Stores, (1950). Baer, Rettig and Cohen, On-Line SalesRecording System, Proc. E. J. Comp. Conf. (1958).

Edison et al., Electronics-New Horizon In Retailing Fendrich,- BankInput to EDP: A Bank Accounting System, AMA Management Report No. 6(1958). Gaffney and Levine, "Design Techniques for MultiplieInterconnected On Line Data Processor", Proc. E.J.C.C. (1957).

Primary Examiner-David Y. Eng

EXEMPLARY CLAIM 1. A remotely controlled system comprising a pluralityof transmitter means for transmitting transaction signals representingtransaction data from a plurality of trans action sites, each of saidtransmitter means including a signal source, keyboard means forcontrolling said signal source, coded media sensing means forcontrolling said signal source, and interlock means for monitoring saidkeyboard means and said coded media sensing means, said transaction dataincluding address incre ments and entry increments, a plurality ofmemory means for selectively receiving records representing entryincrements in response to said signals and for combining signalsrepresenting said entry increments with signals representing previouslyrecorded entry increments to produce a record of updated entryincrements, and director means for transmitting components of saidsignals representing entry increments, from ready transmitters tocertain of said memories designated by components of said signalrepresenting address increments, said director means including scanningswitch means for establishing joinder with said ready transmitter means,storing switch means for storing a record in response to said signals,and scanning switch means for establishing joinder with all of saidcertain memories, transmitting means for sending signals representingsaid record of said storing switch means to al1 of said certain memoriesand thereafter for disconnecting said ready transmitter means from theremainder of said system.

1. A REMOTELY CONTROLLED SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TRANSMITTERMEANS FOR TRANSMITTING TRANSACTION SIGNALS REPRESENTING TRANSACTION DATAFROM A PLURALITY OF TRANSACTION SITES, EACH OF SAID TRANSMITTER MEANSINCLUDING A SIGNAL SOURCE, KEYBOARD MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID SIGNALSOURCE, CODED MEDIA SENSING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID SIGNAL SOURCE,AND INTERLOCK MEANS FOR MONITORING SAID KEYBOARD MEANS AND SAID CODEDMEDIA SENSING MEANS, SAID TRANSACTION DATA INCLUDING ADDRESS INCREMENTSAND ENTRY INCREMENTS, A PLURALITY OF MEMORY MEANS FOR SELECTIVELYRECEIVING RECORDS REPRESENTING ENTRY INCREMENTS IN RESPONSE TO SAIDSIGNALS AND FOR COMBINING SIGNALS REPRESENTING SAID ENTRY INCREMENTSWITH SIGNALS REPRESENTING PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ENTRY INCREMENTS TOPRODUCE A RECORD OF UPDATE ENTRY INCREMENTS, AND DIRECTOR MEANS FORTRANSMITTING COMPONENTS OF SAID SIGNALS REPRESENTING ENTRY INCREMENTSFROM READY TRANSMITTERS TO CERTAIN OF SAID MEMORIES DESIGNATED BYCOMPONENTS OF SAID SIGNALS REPRESENTING ADDRESS INCREMENTS, SAIDDIRECTOR MEANS INCLUDING SCANNING SWITCH MEANS FOR ESTABLISHING JOINDERWITH SAID READY TRANSMITTER MEANS, STORING SWITCH MEANS FOR STORING ARECORD IN RESPONSE TO SAID SIGNALS, AND SCANNING SWITCH MEANS FORESTABLISHING JOINDER WITH ALL OF SAID CERTAIN MEMORIES, TRANSMITTINGMEANS FOR SENDING SIGNALS REPRESENTING SAID RECORD OF SAID STORINGSWITCH MEANS TO ALL OF SAID CERTAIN MEMORIES AND THEREAFTER FORDISCONNECTING SAID READY TRANSMITTER MEANS FROM THE REMAINDER OF SAIDSYSTEM.